USING PROBIOTICS AND HERBS HAS ME HELPED A LOT!

I first learned of probiotics in early 2003 when a group of technicians from the Department of Agriculture technicians based at the BPI Regional Station in Sta. Barbara, Iloilo. At first, I was skeptical in adopting the technologies because we were simply given handouts on how to make Indigenous Micro Organisms (IMO), Fermented Fruit Juice (FFJ), Lactic Acid Preparation, Oriental Herbal Mix, etc. We were only given assurances by these technicians that they indeed work since these were originated by a Japanese doctor way back in the 1930s. The probiotic system is part of the natural farming system which is being advocated by DA.

At that time, I was the main anchor, researcher and script writer of a rural life-oriented radio program based in Iloilo City. I had to try using the technology which if proven to be effective, I can advocate its wide spread use. By the middle of that year, I had already tried all the technologies but settled on IMO and Lactic Acid for my animals and poultry and had made my own method of making lactic acid which is even simpler and without cost. I also innovated on the method and materials in making IMO.

Simultaneously, I started using herbs for my animals since by then I had compiled an information base of various herbs and plants. I had also set up as small garden of there plants in the limited space of our subdivision home.

The first six months of probiotics and herbs had encouraged me to use them widely. Initially, I followed the dose and mode of administration taught by the DA technicians but later, I found that you can reduce or add more for better effect and faster growth.

INDIGENOUS MICROORGANISMS (IMO):

My method of making IMO is rather simplified. I cook about 500 grams of broken rice (binlud) like a porridge. When cooled, I spread it on a shallow tray about 5 cm. thick and cover it lightly with a sheet of paper loosely bound by a rubber band to keep off insects but allowing beneficial microorganisms to populate the culture medium. After 4 to 7 days, I harvest the culture and mix thoroughly an equal amount of molasses. After3 more days, I start using my preparation which is effective up to 2 months if stored at room temperature or longer if placed in a refrigerator.

For my chickens, I mix about ½ teaspoon IMO and 1 tablespoon herbal mix juice per liter of water and give this as their only source of water. For pigs and dogs, I give two tablespoons per feeding or four tbs. daily, no matter the size. IMO has no overdose. For other birds and animals, I just mix IMO on their ration about 3-4 tbs. per kilo of slurry.

To keep the surroundings and the cage of my dog odorless, I mix 2 tbs. IMO per ten liters of water and wet the area by blanket spraying. Like the lactic Acid preparation, I can attest that IMO solution can get rid of the smell effectively. IMO has also helped my gardening by speeding up the decomposition of organic matter. I simply pile grasses and other organic materials like cartons, paper and sawdust in an unused area then wet the mass with diluted IMO every week to keep the pile moist. In three months, the organic matter has fully decomposed and ready for use.

Frequent spraying of IMO on the garden soil, according to the technicians, is said to revive beneficial soil microorganisms and I can attest to this fact because my soil has become more fertile despite its continued planting and without addition of chemical fertilizers. All I add is the decomposed organic materials and the regular spraying of IMO on the soil. As the organic material of my small garden increased, so did the population of native earthworms.

HERBAL PREPARATIONS:

During that session with the DA technicians, we were taught the use of garlic and similar herbs in farming. But knowing the expense using those spices, I knew it was not practical for use in the farm so I experimented on concoctions using various herbs for anything from animal health to pest control. Before the third quarter of 2003, I was able to standardize several preparations for different applications that became part of my system.

For chickens, I mix equal amounts of fresh guava leaves, lagundi, gotu kola, and pink periwinkle (rosas de baybayon) with a two to three sprigs of peppermint then pound them into a pulp to extract its juice. Either I use a tablespoon of the juice or the whole pounded material with the IMO in one liter of water. Since 2003, I was able to stop using antibiotics altogether for prevention. I use antibiotics only when diseases strike and somehow its efficacy is high.

For my dog, I add one-half cup of malunggay leaves daily to the fish and rice porridge that I prepare. I have stopped feeding meat and give her dog food sparingly as a form of reward, especially during her obedience training. A cross of Belgian Malenois and black Labrador, she has maintained a slight form but is overly active and healthy.

As a general cleanser, disinfectant and sterilizer for chicken, hog, dog pens and surroundings, I use 5 cups of pounded herbs consisting of hagonoy, andrographis paniculata (a bitter herb), tanglad and, neem fruits and leaves mixed in ten liters of water. I add a teaspoon of chlorine powder to the mixture and blanket spray in the whole area. This is followed a day after with a spraying of diluted IMO to help revive the beneficial microorganisms in the area to counter destructive microorganisms that might populate after the disinfection.

For the last four years, the mortality of my chickens was very low even if I do not immunize for viral diseases like New Castle Disease and fowl pox. I cut my antibiotic use by 80 percent and my investment is largely on feeds and vitamins. My dog enjoys its feed of porridge made of fish, rice and malunggay. My maintenance is low and I seldom invest in commercial disinfectants except in extreme cases. All because I have adopted the use of probiotics and herbs. Try them too and you will see!

Procedure 1: MAKING THE INDIGENOUS MICROORGANISM:

Materials:

1/2 kg. broken rice (binlud)

1 kg brown sugar or molasses

Equipment:

Cooking pot

Shallow tray

Old newspaper

Straw for tying

Wide mouth bottles for storing

Procedure:

1. Cook broken rice into a porridge, cool and spread on shallow tray about 1 inch thick;
2. Cover with newspaper and lightly tie to ensure that no insects will crawl in;
3. Expose in shady portion of kitchen or in nearby bamboo clump or trees;
4. After 4-7 days, remove and place in wide-mouth container. Add molasses or brown sugar and mix thoroughly. Keep lightly covered for 3-5 days. Start using thereafter for up to 2 months which by then, the beneficial organisms may become dormant;

Usage:

Chickens, turkeys and ducks: Add 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon of IMO to 1 liter clean water and give to chickens every day continuously. Use for watering plants and soil excess mixture in the afternoon and provide fresh mixture next day;

Pigs, goat, sheep and cattle: Give 2 tablespoons per 25 kg. body weight mixed in either wet or dry feeds both for morning and afternoon feeding;

Plants: Add 100-250 ml IMO per 16 liters of water and use as blanket spray on soil every week to activate beneficial bacteria in the soil. Add 50 ml IMO to herbal mixture of pounded leaves of garlic vine, onions, garlic and other aromatic leaves to activate beneficial bacteria in plants (aromatic herbs will serve as insect repellants for the crops)

Procedure 2: MAKING THE BASIC HERBAL MIXTURE:

1. Gather fresh leaves of plants and herbs like guava, lagundi, pink periwinkle (rosas de baybayon), gotu kola;
2. Measure equal amounts of about 1 cup each and add about 3-4 stalks of peppermint or supermint. Pound to a pulp until liquid is easy to extract by squeezing. Store in refrigerator up to 1 week;
3. To use add 1 teaspoon of the herbal juice per liter of water already mixed with IMO